Cigarette-igniting-coil control



April 7, 1931. A. GIRTANNER 1,300,140

CIGARETTE IGNITING COIL CONTROL Filed Sept. 22, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 -44 a: fzdna er fir/owner April 7, 1931- A. GIRTANNER 1,800,140

CIGARETTE IGNITING CDIL CONTROL Filed Sept. 22, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Swuemtoz 351 his awe (mug Patented Apr. 7, 1931 A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALEXANDER GIRTANNER, OF BAJYSIDE, NI -RV YORK, A SIGNOB T AUTOMATIC LIGHTER CORPORATION, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE cIGARnTTn-IeNIrING-con CONTROL Application filed September 22, 1926. Serial No. 137,111.

This invention relates to electrical ignit ing devices such as are used in connection with dispensing containers for cigarettes and the like, and more particularly refers to a method of energizing an igniting cell for the purpose of lightingcigaret es insuring effective operation and at the same time providing complete safety in the use of the apparatus.

The primary'object of this invention is to provide in connection with a container for cigarettes and the like equipped w th a dispensing member, means for energizing an igniting coil for said cigarettes during the movement of the dispensing member from the normal to the dispensing position, the energization of said coil however, taking place only in the interval of travel between the said two extreme positions of the dis pensing member and being terminated before or as the dispensing member reaches its dispensing position.

Another object of this invention is to provide adevice for dispensinglighted cigarettes and the like, in which the possibility of burning out of the igniting coil through its unduly prolonged energization iseffectively prevented.

Afurther object is to provide in a device of the class specified, a novel and improved ai'i'angei-nent of means for forcing a cigarette against an igniting coil for the purpose ofigniting said cigarette before it is delivcred; said means being adapted to effect an automatic release of the cigarette after ignition, facilitating its extraction by the user and also permitting of its being delivered to aqseparate support adapted to hold the cigarette above an ash tray. until such time asthecigarette is actually needed.

A still further object is. to provide an improved device of the character specified, in which a stationary member is provided with a cam slot adapted to cooperate with the ac tuating meinber in order to produce the desired results. mentioned.

Other objects and advantages of the pres ent invention Will more fully appear as the description proceeds and will be set forth and claimed in the appended claims.

in which Fig. 1 is a front view in elevation of a device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 a side sectional view in elevation through line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional front view in elevation of the lower part of. said device, showing the dispensing member in its normal position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side sectional view in elevation through line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front sectional view in elevation similar to that of Fig. 3, showing the dispensing member midway of its travel towards its dispensing position and showing the manner of energizing the igniting coil;

Fig. 6 is a side sectional view in elevation through line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail side sectional View i elevation through line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front sectional view in elevation similar to that of I ig. 5.

showing the device after a lighted cigarette has been delivered and the igniting coil deenergized; and i Fig. 9 is a side sectional view in elevation through line 99 of Fig. 8.

Devices for delivering lighted cigarettes from a container are not in a broad sense new, since various types of these devices have heretofore been used for this purpose, especially as accessories of motor car equipment, being connected to the battery as the source of electric supply to energize the coil. These devices generally consist of a magazinc or container in which the cigarettes are stacked one on top of the other forming a vertical series of cigarettes horizontally arranged within said containcr.

These devices are furthermore also provided with means for dispensing one cigarette at a time from said container, generally the lowermost cigarette in the stack, the

operation of said dispensing means being in its turn instrumental forthe energization ofan igniting coil andthe operation of a valve connecting the device to a suitable source of suction or other means or creating a draft.

The igniting coil is normally inoperative and becomes operative only after or as one of the cigarettes to be lighted has been forced against it in order to establish an intimate contact therebetween. In all the ,devices that have come to my notice, the

.operated by hand, first one way and then the other, and its movement to the dispensing position. determines the axial shifting of the cigarette towards the igniting coil and the energization otsaid coil, while the return movement releases the cigarette so that it may be removed and at the same time causes the de-energizationof said coil.

However, it frequently happens tha the dispensing member is inadvertently left in its dispensing position and then the energization of the coil continues and will in all probability burn out the coil. This occurrence is also made possible by the fact that any onetampering with the device ma inadvertently set the dispensing member in its dispensing position and. then the'energization of the coil takes place as a matter of course. a In certain types'of devices, the dispensing member is equipped with or controlled by a s ring tending to oppose its displacement fromits normal position, so that when the said dispensing memberis released it will oi its own accord return to its normal position andprevent the dangers attending upon a prolonged energization. of the coil. However, even in these cases, the dispensing member is moved to its dispensing position by hand and is liable to be kept there for a certain time before it is released, and since it does notitake a ver Y 1on time for a small coil suchas is used in these devices to be come overheated, although to a. lesser degree, the danger of the burning out of the vcoil still. exists.

' The sameremark applies to such devices vhere the energization of the coil is produced by the axial displacement of the suction member when moved to force the cigarette against the coil and to establish the necessary draft circuit. 7

"In certain types of devices, the cigarette isfirst moved to thedispensing position and then it is ignited by the separate operation of a suction member independent of the operation of the dispensing member. The suction member thus employed is generally capable of axial or else of both axial and rotatory motion, controlling at one time the axial displacement of a cigarette and the opening of a suction circuit. Said suction member may be and at times is also utilized as a means of controlling the igniting circuit, and also in this case the coil becomes energized before or as the suction member reaches its operative position and remains energized as long as the said suction member remains set in said position overheating and burning of the coil are, of course, also in this case likely to occur.

The present invention has for its object to provide an improved arrangement of ig-. niting' coil control, whereby in such cases Where operation of the igniting coilis controlled by a movable element of the device, capable of being displaced from one extreme position to another, the coil becomes energized during the movement of said element but will become de-energized as the said element reaches either one or the other of extreme positions.

In orderto avoid the possibility of said controlling element beinginadvertently set at an intermediate position, the device is also preferably equipped with a spring tendingtonormally retain said coil controlling element-in one or the other or its extreme positions. x

Such an arrangement obviously pre-supposes a corelated operation oifsuch means as may be employed to force thecigarette against the igniting coil, because when the coil is energized, the cigarette should already be abutting or should be about to abut against said coil. If I this condition is fulfilled, and if the suction is also at the same time 7 established, I have found that. an almost instantaneous energization of the coil is quite sullicient to produce the desired offeet. trolling element from one positionto the othernsua lly requires a certain length of time,, which, if limited is however not strictly instantaneous, a fraction of time of sufficient duration is available for insuring positive and satisfactory operation of the 0011 at all times.

Certain types of devices of the order mentioned are operated by first setting a cigarette in axial alignment with the igniting coil at one end and with means at theother end for forcing the. cigarette against said igniting coil at the propert time, the latter means being axiallyanovable towards and away from said coil. Said means used to thus cause axial displacement of the ciga rette usually comprise a mouthpiece or suction member which is capable of axial displacement only or else which is capable of both axial and rotatory motion; and said Since the movement of the coil conlSO mouthpiece or suction member is also used tocontrol a valve or opening through which rection.

Thus in cel'taincases where the cam slot is stationary and the mouthpiece is operatively associated with the dispensing memher, rotatory movement of said dispensing member from its normal to its dispensing position will be transmited to the sleeve which will thus be forced inwardly by the action of the cam slot; the result beingthat when the dispensing member has reached its dispensing position, the cigarette has been forced against the igniting coil which igniting coil has in the meantime become energized, the suction valve has been opened, and suction is being exerted at one end of the cigarettewhile the other end is in contact with the igniting coil. 1

When the dispensing member is once more returned from this position to its normal position by rotating in the opposite direction, the opposite movement of the mouthpiece talies place with the result that as the mouthpiece is withdrawn, the lighted cigarette is released so that it may be easily removed foruse. it

However, I have found by experience that at times it may happen that the dispensing member is inadvertently left in its dispensing position so that the cigarette may continue to burn andmay eventually become so short that it may fall out of its own accord.

'The arrangement previously mentioned whereby the igniting element is deenergized the controlling member reaches its extreme operating position, creates a condition where it is no longer necessary for the cigarette to be abutting against the coil when the extreme operatlng position is reached, so that I utilize the intervening period between the de-energization of the coil and the reaching of the extreme operating position by the controlling member for causing the release of the lighted cigarette from its lightingfiposition by withdrawing the mouthpiece as or before the extreme position is reached.

In this manner, I obtain two advantages; one is that a single movement of the controlling member is suflicient to efiect not only the dispensing and the lighting of the. cigarette, but also its actual delivery after lighting, the other advantage is that. even if the controlling member is inadvertently left in its extreme operating position, the cigarette is delivered to a. receiving support provided in connection with an ash tray which does away with all possibility of mishaps occurring through the burning cigarette falling in some unprotected spot.

The inventive idea is also applicable in such cases where a draft is forced through the cigarette from. the lightedend instead of suction being used at the other end, the main object of the improved type of control mentioned being to cause the release and actual delivery of the cigarette im mediately after it has been lighted.

he inventive idea will be better understood byjreferring to the drawings, in which 10 designates a suitable container adapted to contain a plurality of cigarettes in a single vertical row within its chamber 11. Said magazine or container is provided at the top with a cover 12 hinged at 13, normally closing the top of the container, said cover being opened when a new supply of cigarettes is inserted into the container.

The lower end of the container is provided with two coaxial extensions 14, 15 one at each side thereof, within which is rotatably mounted a dispensing member 16, which is provided with an extension 17 projecting through the end wall 18 of extension 15. A button or knob 19, is mounted upon said extension and is used for the operation of the dispensing member, said knob acting at, the same time as a positioning means for said member preventing axial displacement thereof. Said dispensing member is tubular in nature, its inner diameter being about the right size for receiving a cigarette; and that portion of the dispensing member which is delimited by the inner surface of the side walls 90, 21 of the container is cut away to about half of its circumference, forming a semi-circular receiving chamber 22, which is normally arranged to form a semi-circular closure of the bottom of chamber, 11, as Fig. 4 clearly shows.

In this position of the dispensing member the lowermost cigarette in the container is free to fall into the receiving chamber of the dispensing member, the entire stack of cigarettes being supported thereby.

If now, the dispensing member is caused to rotate 180,the edge of its semi-circular wall will gradually be inserted between the lowermost and the next cigarette, and the cigarette within the dispensing member will become isolated from the others in the stack. Only whenthe opposite position of the dispensing member is reached, the cigarette 23 member.

tuting a bracket arranged underneath the container.

members are preferably inclined towards the front, so that the cigarette Wlll'b3 held slightly ahead of the container, directly above a receptacle 26, the somewhat detached position of the cigarette thus obtained facilitating its removal. The position of the dispensing. member in its dispensing position and the cigarette delivered thereby, are clearly illustrated in Fig. 9, where it is seen that the inverted semi-circular wall of the dispensing member now supports the stack of cigarettes within chamber. 11. r i f hen the dispensing member is returned to its normal position, the entirestaclrof cigarettes descends by gravity so that the lowermost cigarette once more will fill the receiving chamber of the dispensing member, and the device is thus made ready for a new 7 operation.

In order to render the operation of the device more eflective, means are provided for lighting the cigarette before it is actually delivered, these means comprising an igniting coil at oneend, and a suction member at the other. I

The igniting coil comprises a length of resistance wire wound in a spiral 27, restingiagainstthe inner face of an insulating block 28, carried by the free end of the dispensing member and rotatable therewith. At a small distance from said insulating block, another insulating block 29 of astationary nature is mounted within extension 14, said block 29 being provided with an axial terminal 30 and another terminal 31 nearthe periphery thereof, said terminals being connected by electric wires 32, 33, to a suitable source of electric supply which in the case of a motor car may be the battery used for ignition. Both terminals are tubular in form, terminal 30 receiving a metal contact bar 34, attached to the center of spiral coil 27 and projecting through the outer surface of block 28, while terminal 31 i is provided at its inner end with a stationary segmental contact 8 5, against which slides the end of another contact bar 86, connected to the other end of the spiral coil during the rotatory movement of the dispensing The suction member consists of a sleeve or mouthpiece 37 slidably mounted'within coil by its axial movement taking place during the rotatory movement of the dispensing-member, and belng provided w1th an opening or port 39, adapted to register with a tubular connection 40, at the time when the li htin end of the ci arette abuts against the coil and the coil is'energized.

Said receiving or supporting Tubular connection 40 leads to some suitable'source of suction such as the vacuum tank or intake manifold of a motor car.

The axial movement of the. mouthpiece or suction member is also determined by the rotatory movement of the dispensing member, which is transmitted to the suction member by a cross pin 41 vdiametrally inserted through said suction member; said pin having-an end 42 projecting through a longitudinal slot 43 in the dispensing member as well as through a cam slot 44 providedthrough the wall of extension 15 and extending for the 180 rotatory displacement allowed for the dispensing member. Slot 43, is elongated so as to permit inward axial displacement of the suction member in relation to the dispensing member; and slot 44 follows an inwardly bent outline which causes first inward axial movement of the suction member and then return movement thereof, as the dispensing member progresses and reaches the end of its operating stroke. 4

The movement of the suction member thus resulting from the action of cam slot 44 results in the cigarette being forced against the igniting coil during the first half of the tmovement and then being released during the second half; so that when the dispensing member ctually reaches its dispensing .energization of the coil and actuation of a valve controlling the suction means, timed with the energization of saidcoil, have been In all the devices which heretofore used. have come toamy notice, however,the energization of the coil starts before or after the dispensing position'of the cigarette is reached, continuing as long as the cigarette remains in saidposition, up to such time when the member controlling the igniting circuit is withdrawn or operated in the opposite direction. 7 c

This creates a condition where overheating and burning of the coil is likely to and frequently does take. place because the operator at times unconsciously lingers and re-. tains the member controlling theigniting circuit in operative position for an excessive length of time. In the case of a small coil such as used in these devices, the difference between a sufiicient and an excessive time of energization is measured in fractions of a second, and therefore the operation of such devices becomes most unreliable when the control of this factor isleft to the judgment of the operator and to the necessity of his givinghis undivided attention to the device when a cigarette is being lighted.

I have purposely referred to a member controlling the igniting circuit instead of specifying the dispensing member because while in this and other cases the igniting circuit is controlled by the dispensing menu ber itself, in some instances the igniting circuit is controlled by separate means; therefore, the improvement forming the object of the present invention must be understood broadly to apply to the means used for controlling the igniting circuit whatever they may be. i

One Off the specific features of the present invention resides in the special arrangement of the commun means by the action of which the igniting coil is short c ircuited or ener ized during the travel of the member controllii'ig the circuit from one extreme position to another, said contacting means being so designed as to be operative when one end of the cigarette abuts against the igniting coil, becoininginoperative as the extreme end. of the travel from the normal to the operating position of the member controlling the igniting coil is reached;

In the present case, as stated, the member controlling the igniting coil is the dispensing member itself, and the end of its operating' strol-te represents the position where the cigarette is actually released; therefore, the contacting means are so arranged that the energiz'ation of the coil starts soon after the movement of the dispensing member from its normal to its dispensing position has been initiated and terminates before or as the dispensing position is reached; the interval thereb'etii een being quite nancient for the lighting of the cigarette if the suction is properly timed at the other end. i

One or the reasons necessitating the energization of the coil or the retaining or the coilin its energized position as long as the member controlling the circuit thereof remains set at the end of its operative stroke, is due to the fact that connection between the suction member and the suction producing means is enerally established when said extreme position is reache'ch a port provided through the suction member being then made to register with the inlet leading to the suction means. i

In the present case, '1 cause the suction circuit to become operative simultaneously with the energization of the coil and to remain operatii' e as long as the coil is energized or a little longer, up to the time when "the cigarette 1s released by the suction mem her and is free to fall onto the receiving lrlel'fiblfif In this manner, the suction also b'econjres operative during the interval of travel of-the di ing member from its 1T norn'ialto its dispensing position and the suction lasts as long as the coil is energized or more.

This is obtained by providing the end 38 of the dispensing member with a segmental slot or port 45 which begins to register with the connection ll) soon after the rotatory movement of the dispensing member is started, continuing to register therewith up to the end of the operating stroke of the dispensing member or slightly before. Fur thermore the suction member 37 is provided with another slotted opening 39 which also extends along its circumference for an angle equal to the angular extension of slot 1 5, but since the suction member is capable of inward and then outward axial displacement in relation to the dispensing member, slot 39 does not follow a circumferential line but has an oiltwardly bulging curved outline which is determined by the combined rotatory and translatory IHOFBll'lQIlt of said suction member, causing slot 39 to register with slot 45 at all points of the axial movement of the suction member.

It follows therefore that the connection established between inlet 40 and slot is also establishedthrough slot 39 with the inner chamber of the suction member during the period specified.

I have therefore established a condition Where both the energization of the coil and the actuation of the suction occur during the travel of the dispensing member from one of its 0); reine positions to the other, but are inoperative while the dispensing member remains set at either position. arrangement permits the utilization to full advantage of the cam slot 44 whereby the suction member is withdrasvn as or before the dispensing member reaches its dispense ing position, so that the combination of these three factors permits oi completing the operation of isolating lighting and dis pensing the cigarette at one stroke.

It is obvious that the connection between the dispensing member and the suction mem ber may be of a permanent nature, since slot 45 through the dispensing member is sufiicient to control the opening or closing ofinlet 40. y a

The dispensing member and the other elements controlled thereby may be rctm'ncd to their normal position by turning knob 19, 180 in arev L'se direction; but I prefer to provide a. spring connection between sleeve or extension 15 and the dispensing member, tending to' retain or return the dispensing; member to its normal position at all times. Said spring connection is represented in the drawings by a coil springs? inserted around the extreme end of the dispensing member. having one of its ends 48 attached to sleeve or extension 15 and the other end 49 attached t0 the dispensing member. This sin-ingis arranged so that otatory move 1 ill) ment of the dispensing member from its normal to its dispensing position increases the tension of the spring, so that at any time the dispensing member is released the spring will return it to its normal position. This spring should be strong enough to overcome any frictional resistance which might be offered by the sides of cam slot 44 against pin 41.

Besides being a convenience, causing the automatic return of the parts to their normal position, this spring also represents a safety measure, entirely doin away with the possibi ity ofthe dispensing member being inadvertently left midway in a position where the coil is energized; thus, the coil can only become overheated or burned if the dispensing member is deliberately retained in such a position and in no other way. y

The receiving or supporting members 24, 25, are shown in the form of two metal strips attached to the lower part of the container at the rear by means of screws as shown at 50, depending therefrom and extending to a point underneath the dispensing member at a certain distance therefrom, preferably slightly to the front-thereof; the lower end of said receiving or supporting members being bent upwardly to form a hook portion 51 adapted to receive and retain a cigarette as shown in Fig. 9.

Underneath the receiving or supporting members is placed a receptacleQG, which is adapted to collect all ashes falling'from the cigarette and also the burned stub thereof, if the cigarette should inadvertently be left upon the supporting members.

The supporting members can also be conveniently used for laying the cigarette down from time to time, the underlying receptacle preventing ashes and burned stubs from fallingto the floor. Receptacle 26 is also adapted to act as an ash tray generally and is preferably of the removable type de} cribed in another patent application, ontitled Cigarette dispensing device tiled simultaneously herewith.

The type of ash tray shown, is provided with two springsuspension arms 52, 53, at the rear, each formed with a bent portion 54 forwardly projecting through openings 55, 56, provided in the rear wall 57 of the tray. Said bent portion may be used for. pressing the two spring arms towards one another, thus releasing their free end portions 57, 58, from recesses 59, 60, provided at the rear of the container where they are inserted and retained. In this manner end portions 57 58,. come in line with slots .61, 62 through which they can he slid in or, out of their normal position, so that tray or receptacle 26 can be easily removed? for dumping out its contents and then replaced. The container is preferably provided with an opening in front at the lower part of chamber 11, provided with a glass 63, through which the interior of a magazine may be watched, so that the need of refillingwill be immediately detected. I As previously stated, the temporary energization of the coil can be obtained either by causing the igniting circuit to be controlled by the dispensing member during its travel from its normal to itsdispensing position, or by an axially shiftable member such for instance, as the suction member shown and described, from its normal position to the position where one end of the cigarette has been forced against the igniting coil.

l/Vhile cam slot 44 is formed with a peak representing the innermost position of the suction member, the cigarette is actually in contact with the coil before and after said peak is reached, because the cigarette is to a certain extent yielding; therefore, both the energization of the coil and the actuation of the suction can start before the peak is reached and can last after the peak has been passed. 7 V

This factor insures the positive and satisfactory operation of the device, avoiding a truly instantaneous action of the igniting coil which in practice would be insufficient to light the cigarette, the cam acting means forming one of the objects of the present invention may also be applied in such cases where the axial movement of the suction member is obtained independently of the dispensing member, because the invention does not reside so much in the cooperative action of the said two members as in the control of the axial movement of the suction member itself, or other means used for effecting the axial displacement of the cigarettetowards the igniting coil, or'of the latter against the former.

For instance, while the cam slot shown in the drawings is of a stationary nature, while the pin cooperating therewith is rotatable with the suction member, an arrangement may easily be devised where the functions are inverted, the cam slot being provided through or in the surface of the suction member itself. The cam slot is in reality the equivalent of two opposing surfaces, one forcing the suction member inwardly and the other one forcing it outwardly, and while these two cam surfaces are conveniently obtained by providing a cam slot as shown, yet, it will be'understood that the same object may be attained by providing two properly timed cam surfaces independent of one another.

The invention may be varied in its details without substantially departing from the inventive idea and therefore I reserve myself the right to carry my invention into practice 1n all thoseways and manners which may recou se enter fairly into the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device ofthe class described, the combination with an electric circuit, a normally inoperative igniting element, and a cigarette disiap'ensing member movable from normal to a dispensing position, of means its normal to a dispensing position, of means controlled by said dispensing member for inserting said element in said circuit during the movement of said member, thus energizing said element, said means being shaped and disposed to become ineffective to de-energize said element by the time said member reaches its dispensing position, and means op'eratively associated with said dispensing member for causing one end of the cigarette carried by said dispensing member to abut against said igniting element While said element is tl'uiis energized.

31 In a device of the class described, the

con-ibina-tion, Withan electric circuit, a normally inoperative igniting element, and a cigarette dispensing member movable from normal to a dispensing position, of means controlled by said dispensing member for inserting said element in said circuit during the movement of said member, thus energizing-said element, said means being shaped and disposed to become ineffective to de-energize said element by the time sald member reaches its dispensing position, means op eratively' associated with said dispensing member for causing one end of the cigarette carried by said dispensing member to abut against said igniting element While said element is thus energized. and means for snnultaneously creating a draft through the end of the cigarette adjacent to the igniting element, a i

4. In a device of the class described, the combination, with an electric circuit, a normally inoperative igniting element,-and a cigarette dispensing member movable from its normal to" a dispensing position, of means controlled by said dispensing member for inserting said element in said circuit during the movement of said member, thus energizing'said element, said means being shaped and disposed to become inefiective to de-energize saidelement by the time said member reaches its dispensing position, meairs oper ativelya seciated with said dispensing mm her for causing one end of the cigarette carried by said dispensing member to abut against said element while said element is thus energized, and means also ccmtrolled bf, dispensing member for simultaneously creating a draft through the end of tire cigarette adjacent to said igniting element to ignite the same. i

5. In a device of the class described, the coi-nbination with an electric circuit, a dispensing member adapted to move about its axis from a normal to a dispensing position, and a normally inoperative igniting element carried by said dispensing member, of contact means adapted to insert said igniting element in said circuit, said contact means being shaped and disposed to become ope z 1- tive soon after the movement of said dispensing member is started, and inoperative by the time the dispensing position thereof is reached.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with an electric circuit, a dispensing member adapted to move about its axis from its normal to a dispensing position, and a normally inoperative igniting element carried by said dispensing member, of a permanent connettion between one of the ends of said igniting element and one ofthe poles of said circuit, and a sesnnental pensing member is started, again interrupting said circuit by the time the dispensiiig position of said member is reached.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with an electric circuit, at normally inoperative igniting element, a sorerce of suction, a dispensing member adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, and means controlled by said dispensing member for energizin said element soon after the movement of said dispensing member is started, said means being shaped and disposed to become inoperative by the time said member reaches its dispensing position, of a valve associated with said dispensing member for establishing connection between. the device and said source of suction, While the igniting element is thus energized.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with an igniting element, means for holding a cigarette in axial alignment therewith, normally detached therefrom, means for establishing virtual contact between one end of the cigarette held by said holding means and said igniting element, a

in-g member for causin the energization of said igniting element curing its movement,

suction.

9. In a device of the classdescribed, the

, combination with an igniting element, means for holding a cigarette in axial alignment therewith, normally detached therefrom,

-means for establishing virtual contact be tween one end of the cigarette held by said holding means and said igniting element, a source of suction, said holding means comprising a dispensing member adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, means for causing the energization of said igniting element during the movement of said member and for causing the same to become deenergized by the time the dispensing position of said member is reached, means associated with said member and said contact establishing means rendering said source of suction operative during the time when said igniting element is energized.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination witha container, of a normally inoperative igniting element, a source of suction, and a dispensing member adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, means associated with said member, causing energization of said igniting element and rendering. said source of suction operative,,soon after the movement of said. member is started, and for causing said element once more tobe ole-energized and said source of suction inoperative by the time the dispensing position of said member is reached.

11. In a device of the class describechthc' combination with a container, of a normally inoperative i niting element, a source of suction, a dispensing member adapted to be moved from its normal to a (liSDGIlSlIlg' position, means for causing energization of said igniting elementrand rendering said source of suction operative, soon after the movement of said member is started, and for causing said element once more to be deenergized and said source of suction inoperative bythe time the dispensing position of said member is reached, said means being q operatively associated with said dispensing member and constructed and arranged for forcingone end of a cigarette against the igniting element and connecting the other end to said source of suction during the period when said igniting element is energized and said source'of suction is operative.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a container, of a normally inoperative igniting element,a source of suction, a dispensing member adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, and means for causing energization of said i niting element and for rendering said source of suction operative, soon after the movement of said member is. started,'sa1d member being constructed and arranged so that said element once more becomes de-energized and said source of suction is rendered inoperative by the time the dispensing position of said member is reached, said means comprising a suction member operatively associated with said dispensing member movable to force one end of a cigarette against the igniting element and to connect the other end to said source of suction during the period when said igniting element is energized, and to be automatically with drawn bythe time said dispensing member reaches its dispensing position.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a container, of a normally inoperative igniting element, a source of suction, a dispensing member adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, means for causing energization of said igniting element and rendering said source of suction operative, soon after the movement of said member is started, said means being constructed and arranged so that said element once more becomes de-ener ized and said source of suction inoperative by the time the dispensing position of said member is reached, said means comprising a suction member operatively associated with said dispensing member movable to force'one end of acigarette against the igniting element and connect the other endv to saidsource of suction during the period when said igniting element is energized, and a part having a cam slot controlling the said translatory motion of said suction member and shaped to cause the same to be automatically withdrawn by the time said dispensing member reaches its dispensing position.

14. In a device of'the class described, the combination, with a container, of a normally inoperative igniting element, a source of suction, a dispensing member adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, an electric circuit, a permanent connection between one ofthe ends ofsaid igniting element and one of the poles of said circuit, a segmental contact member shaped and disposed for closing said circuit through the other end of said igniting element soon after the movement of said dispensing member is started, and for again interrupting said circuit by the time the dispensing position of means associated with said member is reached, said dispensingmember for rendering said source of suction operative while the igniting element isenergized, said means comprising a saction member operatively associated withsaid dispensing member andmovable to force one end of a cigarette against the igniting element and to connect the other end to said source of suction during the period when said igniting element is energized, and a part having a cam slot controlling the. said translatory motion of said suction member for causing the same to be automatically withdrawn by the time said dispensing member approaches its dispensing position.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a container, an igniting element, means for holding a cigarette in axial alignment therewith, normally detached therefrom, means for establishing virtual contact between one end of the cigarette held b said holdin means and said igniting element, said holding means comprising a dispensing member, and an actuating member movable from one extreme position to another, of cam means for controlling the operation of said contact estalr lishing means by causing first inward then outward movement of said contact establishing means during the movement of said actuating member from one extreme position to the other.

16. In a device of theclass described, the combination, with a container, an igniting element, means for holding a cigarette in axial alignment therewith, normally detached therefrom, said means comprising a dispensing member, means for shifting said cigarette against said igniting element, and an actuating member movable from one extreme position to another, 01'? cam means for controlling the operation of said shifting means by causing first inward then outi ward movement of said shifting means, during the movement of saidactuating member from one of its extreme positions to the other, and means for creating a draft through the end of said cigarette adjacent to said igniting element while said shifting means hold said cigarette close to said igniting element.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination, with a container, an igniting element, means for holding a cigarette in axial alignment therewith, normally detached therefrom, said means comprising a dispensing member, and an actuating member movable from one extreme position to another, of means operatively associated with said actuating member, for shifting the cigarette held by said holding means against said igniting element, and for automatically releasing said cigarette after a short interval during the same operating stroke of said actuating member.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination with a container, a normally inoperative igniting element, means for holding a cigarette in axial alignment there with, normally detached therefrom, said means comprising a dispensing member, an actuating member movable from one extreme position to another, and means controlled by said actuating member for energizing said igniting element soon after the movement of said actuating member starts,

said energizing means being shaped and disposed to become inoperative by the time the other extreme positionof said actuating member is reached, of means operatively associated with saidactuating memberfor establishing virtual contact between one end of the cigarette held by said holding means and said igniting element, as said igniting element is energized, and for restoring the detached condition between said cigarette and said igniting element when the energizing means become inoperative.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination of a container provided with a stationary sleeve, a dispensingmember rotatably mounted within said sleeve, adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, a suction member within said dispensing member, adapted to rotate therewith but free to move axially in relation thereto, said sleeve having a cam slot for causing inward movement of said suction member during the initial period of its rotatory movement and outward movement thereof by the time the dispensing position of said dispensing member is reached.

20. In a deviceof the class described, the combination of acontainer provided with a stationary sleeve, a dispensingmember rotatably mounted within said sleeve, adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, a connection between said sleeve and a source of suction, a suction member within said dispensing member, mounted to rotate therewith but free to move axially in relation thereto, the sleeve having acam slot for controlling the axial movements of said suction member, said dispensing member having a port for establishing communica tion between said suction member and said connection during the time when said sue tion member is displaced from its normal position.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination of a container provided with a stationary sleeve, a dispensing member rotatably mounted within said sleeve, adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, a connection between said sleeve and asource of suction, and a suction inember within said dispensing member, mounted to rotate therewith but free to move axially in relation thereto, the sleeve having a cam slot for causing inward movement of said suction member during its rotatory movement and outward movement thereof by the time the dispensing position of said dispensing member is reached.

2:2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a container provided with a stationary sleeve, a dispensing member mounted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, a connection between said sleeve and a source of suction, a suction member within said dispensing member mounted to rotate therewith but free 'to move axially in relationthereto, the sleeve having a cam slot for causing inward movement of said suction member during the'initial period of its rotatory movement and outward movement thereof by the time the dispensing position of said dispensing'mem ber'isreached, and a spring automatically returning said dispensing member to its normal position.

23. In a device of the class described, the combination of a container provided with a stationary sleeve, a dispensing member rotatably mounted within said sleeve, adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, a connection between said sleeve and to a source of suction, a suction member within said dispensing member, mounted to rotate therewith but free to move axially in relation thereto, the sleeve having a cam slot for causing inward movement of said suction member during the initial period ofrits'rotatory movement and causing outwardmovement thereof by the time the dispensing position of said dispensing member is reached, said dispensing member having a port for establishing communication between said suction member and said connectionduring the time when said suction member is displaced from its normal position.

24. In a device of the class described, the combination of a container provided with a stationary sleeve, a dispensing member rotatably mounted within said sleeve, adapted to be moved from its normal to a dispensing position, a connection between said sleeve and a source of suction, a suction member within said dispensing member, adapted to rotate therewith but free to move axiallyin relation thereto, said sleeve having a cam slot for causing inward movement of said suction member during the initial period of its rotatory movement and outward movement thereof by the time the dispensing position of said dispensing member vis reached, said dispensing member having a port for establishing communication'be tween said suction member and said connec tion during the time when said suction member is displaced from its normal position,

and a spring automatically returning said dispensing member to'its normal position.

ALEXANDER GIRTANNER. 

